Chrysanthemum plant named `Warm Sandy`

ABSTRACT

A distinct variety of Chrysanthemum plant named `Warm Sandy`, characterized by its uniformly mounded plant habit; relatively large daisy-type inflorescences that are about 7 cm in diameter; attractive bronze-colored ray florets; numerous inflorescenes per plant; early flowering; and excellent garden performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofChrysanthemum plant, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora andreferred to by the variety name `Warm Sandy`.

The new Chrysanthemum is a naturally-occurring mutation of theDendranthema grandiflora `Sandy` (disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.7,531). In September, 1994, the new Chrysanthemum was discovered by theinventor in a controlled environment in Hightstown, N.J., within apopulation of plants of `Sandy`. The selection of this plant was basedon its significantly darker ray floret color compared to plants of`Sandy`. Besides ray floret color, there are no other horticulturaldifferences between plants of the new Chrysanthemum and `Sandy`.

Asexual reproduction of the new Chrysanthemum by terminal cuttings takenin a controlled environment in Alva, Fla., has shown that the uniquefeatures of this new Chrysanthemum are stable and reproduced true totype in successive generations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Chrysanthemum has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Warm Sandy`. These characteristics incombination distinguish `Warm Sandy` as a new and distinctChrysanthemum:

1. Uniformly mounded plant habit.

2. Relatively large daisy-type inflorescences that are about 7 cm indiameter.

3. Attractive bronze-colored ray florets.

4. Numerous inflorescences per plant.

5. Early flowering.

6. Excellent garden performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Chrysanthemum.

The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a side perspective viewof a typical flowering plant of `Warm Sandy`.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a close-up view oftypical inflorescences of `Warm Sandy`. These photographs show thecolors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in coloredreproductions of this type. Floret and foliage colors in the photographsmay differ from the actual colors due to light reflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe plants grown in Salinas, Calif., underconditions which approximate those generally used in commercial gardenChrysanthemum production. One unrooted cutting was directly stuck in a15-cm container and plants were grown in a greenhouse with nightinterruption lighting for two weeks during late May/early June. At theend of the night interruption lighting period, plants were pinched(terminal apices removed). Three days later, plants were moved into anoutdoor production area. Plants flowered about seven weeks later.Measurements and numerical values represent averages for typicalflowering containers.

Botanical classification: Dendranthema grandiflora `Warm Sandy`.

Commercial classification: Daisy-type garden chrysanthemum.

Parentage: Naturally-occurring mutation of Dendranthema grandiflora`Sandy`.

Propagation:

Type.--Terminal tip cuttings.

Time to rooting.--Seven to ten days with soil temperatures of 21° C.

Rooting habit.--Fine, fibrous and well-branched.

Plant description:

Appearance.--Perennial herbaceous daisy-type garden Chrysanthemum.Inverted triangle. Stems initially upright, then somewhat spreadinggiving a uniformly mounded appearance to the plant. Freely branching;about eight lateral branches develop after removal of terminal apex(pinching). Numerous secondary lateral branches develop at every node.

Plant height.--About 26 cm.

Foliage description.--Leaf arrangement: Alternate. Length: About 5.75cm. Width: About 5 cm. Apex: Mucronate. Base: Attenuate. Margin:Palmately lobed, sinuses parallel. Texture: Upper and lower surfacesslightly pubescent. Veins prominent on lower surface. Petiole length:About 1.4 cm. Color: Young foliage upper surface: 147A. Young foliagelower surface: 147B. Mature foliage upper surface: 147A. Mature foliagelower surface: Darker than 147B. Venation upper surface: 147A/147B.Venation lower surface: 147B.

Inflorescence description:

Appearance.--Daisy-type inflorescence form with oblong-shaped rayflorets. Inflorescences borne on terminals above foliage, arising fromleaf axils. Disk and ray florets arranged acropetally on a capitulum.One inflorescence per terminal with numerous inflorescences per plant.

Flowering response.--Under natural conditions, plants flower in theautumn. Plants exposed to 1.5 to 2 weeks of long day/short nightconditions after planting followed by short day/long night conditionsflower about 48 days later.

Inflorescence size.--Diameter: About 7 cm. Depth (height): About 1.1 cm.Diameter of disc: About 1.6 cm.

Ray florets.--Shape: Oblong, flat, recurved with subsequent development.Length: About 3.2 cm. Width: About 8 mm. Apex: Rounded to dentate.Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Orientation: Slightly uprightto horizontal, curved downward with subsequent development. Number ofray florets per inflorescence: About 60. Color: When opening: Uppersurface: Background of 15A with reddish overtones of 172A. Lowersurface: 13B/13C. Fully opened inflorescence: Upper surface: Backgroundof 15A with reddish overtones of 172A. Lower surface: 13B/13C.

Disc florets.--Shape: Enlarged tubular, apex dentate. Length: About 7mm. Width: Apex: About 2 mm. Base: About 1 mm. Number of disc floretsper inflorescence: Numerous. Color: Immature: 154A. Mature: Apex: 17A.Mid-section: Light green. Base: White.

Peduncle.--Aspect: Flexible, strong, angled about 50° to the stem.Length: First penducle: About 7 cm. Fourth peduncle: About 9.5 cm.Texture: Pubescent. Color: 143A.

Reproductive organs.--Androecium: Present on disc florets only. Anthercolor: 17A. Pollen: Amount: Moderate. Color: 17A. Gynoecium: Present onboth ray and disc florets.

Disease resistance: No known Chrysanthemum diseases observed to date onplants grown under commercial production conditions.

Seed production: Seed production has not been observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new distinct variety of Chrysanthemum plant named`Warm